![Student building a computer](../img/community/community-01-sm.jpg)
Mentoring tomorrow’s leaders
This year, EPB was once again involved in a number of student mentoring programs in an effort to prepare the next generation for the careers of the future. The STEP-UP paid summer internship program helps Hamilton County students interact with EPB professionals to explore career opportunities and learn modern business skills. During the process, students were also able to offer EPB new ideas from a fresh perspective. In addition, EPB employees partnered with Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy to mentor nearly two dozen ninth graders through the SPARK program. Complementing a Science-and-Technology-based curriculum, SPARK helped girls this year develop their own mantra and gain the self-confidence to better position themselves for successful careers in a competitive, knowledge-based global economy. EPB employees also volunteered their time working with students through the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. In all, EPB employees volunteered more than 16,000 hours this year supporting 121 community organizations.
![EPB Employee helping student with a computer build](../img/community/community-02-sm.jpg)
![EPB Employee teaching students how to assemble a computer](../img/community/community-03-sm.jpg)
![EPB Employee teaching students how to assemble a computer](../img/community/community-04-sm.jpg)
Preparing future-ready students
EPB expanded our commitment to local education this year to include a corporate sponsorship of the Hamilton County Schools’ Future Ready Institute. EPB committed to a long-term partnership with Tyner Academy to create the EPB Institute of Technology and Networking that provides mentorship and training assistance for students interested in pursuing careers in coding and information technologies. The goal of the partnership is to utilize an IT-based curriculum to instill in students a strong understanding of computer systems and programming so they can succeed in high-demand career opportunities. This progressive educational opportunity enables students to participate in the program each year of their High School career. One of the highlights this year was a field trip to EPB, where students engaged with EPB IT employees in a field exercise to help them understand the mechanics of troubleshooting and assembling components of computers.